11/05/1994 City CouncilTHESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AT THE
NOVEMBER 30,1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL BUDGET SESSION
Saturday, November 5, 1994
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Laura Hall, Mayor
John Nordquist, Council President
Steve Dwyer, Councilmember
Barb Fahey, Councilmember- ABSENT
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
Michael W. Hall, Councilmember
Dave Earling, Councilmember-ABSENT
William J. Kasper, Councilmember
STAFF
Paul Mar, Community Services Director
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director
Tom Miller, Police Chief
Michael Springer, Fire Chief
Chuck Day, Accounting Manager
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks & Recreation Mgr.
Brian McIntosh, Recreation Coordinator
Doug Farmen, Accountant
Barb Mehlert, Recorder
At 8: 00 A.M., Mayor Laura Hall called the meeting to order.
REPORT ON REVENUES AN EXPENDITURES
o ILA �5
Art Housler, Administrative Services Director displayed view/oils covering the following topics:
VC � • Revenue - General Fund 1995 Budget
• Expenditure - General Fund 1995 Budget
• General Fund Expenditure Distribution Trend for the years 1992 -1995
• Salary & Benefit Trend for the years 1991 - 1995 (as pertains to the City of Edmonds)
• Space Needs Costs (costs not included in 1995 budget)
Mr. Housler explained in detail, each of the above view/oils. He presented the Mayor and
Councilmember with a copy of the information presented.)
Mr. Housler stated the Mayor's preliminary Budget recommends a General Fund budget of
$14, 987, 680 of which includes: 41 cents for EMS, three additional employee positions;
replacement of equipment; salary pool, transfer three police staff from Criminal Justice to
General Fund; funding for the usual memberships and community requests; new Fund #009, for
LEOFF long term care; transfers from the Council Contingency, and an ending cash balance of
$125, 240. Not included in this figure is the Aurora Marketplace annexation revenues ($300, 000)
and 103% property tax increase available from the previous year.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1994
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THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AT THE
NOVEMBER 30,1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DISCUSSION
Councilmember Petruzzi questioned the large increase in the City Clerk's budget. Mr. Housler
noted much of this comes from the Codification costs being transferred into the Clerk's Office,
instead of the City Attorney's Office as in the past. Also, the minute taking line item has been
transfered to the City Clerk's Office.
Regarding the City Attorney's budget Council President Nordquist asked if the amount budgeted
for the City Attorney covers all litigation for all city departments. Mr. Housler replied
affirmatively.
Mr. Housler suggested placing a line item in the City Attorney's Budget for Oxford House
litigation. The City Council was receptive to his suggestion. The Council proceeded to discuss
the impending Superior Court case.
Councilmember Petruzzi expressed some concern that he doesn't believe enough has been put
aside for future fire engine purchases.
Mr. Housler reviewed various funds which are available to the City:
$796, 000 Emergency Financial Reserve Fund
$125, 240 General Fund ending cash
$126, 810 Council Contingency Fund ending cash;
$120, 0001994103% property tax
$124, 0001995103% property tax;
$300, 000 Aurora Marketplace annexation;
$1, 592.050 TOTAL
DISCUSSION ON SALARY AND BENEFIT COSTS FOR 1995.
S
Brent Hunter, Personnel Manager, lead the discussion. Mr. Hunter presented view/oils with
5 t ) information on the following:
`7 Salary Comparison, Edmonds & AWC Salary Survey;
Salary and Benefit Costs for 1995.
Mr. Hunter noted the information contained within the charts relate only to the current number
of employees.
Mr. Hunter said while many positions within the City are fairly compensated, there are some
positions which are way below the average. Mr. Hunter said the positions include the Mayor,
Deputy City Clerk, Fire Chief, and the Police Chief.
Mr. Hunter said the newly incorporated City of Shoreline will no doubt, be actively looking for
qualified employees in the surrounding areas and the City of Edmonds is particularly vulnerable.
Council agreed there are employee positions which are undercompensated and said bringing
them tip to where they should be is a priority.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1994
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THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AT THE
NOVEMBER 30,1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PRESENTAION B Y PA UL MAR
Paul Mar, Community Services Director, discussed the City's Space Needs with the Mayor and
City Council. He reviewed view/oils which included the following: Space Program,
Location/Physical Plan, Implementation Plan/Schedule, and the Financial Plan/Schedule.
Mr. Mar's presentation included a draft Space Needs Project Schedule for getting this item to
the Ballot.
There was some concern with going to ballot at the same time the RTA will be placed before the
voters in March of 1995. Councilmember discussed the idea of going to ballot with a "non -site
specific plan " versus a site specific plan.
Councilmember Petruzzi said he believes the public would support a non -site specific plan if it is
a public safety issue, which it is.
Mayor Hall said she believes the public will want to see a site specific plan. Mayor Hall said
even though it might take more time, she believes the citizens would more apt to vote for a site
specific plan than a non -site specific plan. Councilmember Petruzzi said thought he does not
generally disagree, he said there is a $6.7 million transportation plan coming up (RTA) which
could cause a real conflict in the mind of the voters.
Councilmember Petruzzi suggested going to ballot in February of 1996 There was general
agreement with this proposed date.
Discussion on Proposal to Expand Youth Fitness Prorram
With the Public Works department soon to vacate their present site on Dayton to make the move
to 220th, there is a proposal for the space on Dayton. The proposal is to expand the youth
%f, V fitness program currently at the Anderson Center and move to 2nd and Dayton in early 1995.
The plan also calls to renovate and use the shop portion of the vacated facility. Mr. Mar
L reported the 1995 expense would be $19, 000 and a $19, 700 net operating deficit.
Advantages of the ExpansionlMove, as explained by Mr. Mar and Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and
Recreation Manager, are as follows: retains and continues to build a strong community based
��, ) youth program; provides sufficient space for long term commitment for growth of city youth
program; allows for reuse of Rooms 207 and 209 for revenue generation at Anderson Center;
and provides viable occupant for a vacant City property in 1995.
i t
Councilmember Petruzzi said he isn't sure if the City would want to dedicate a large building
such as this for the proposed use. It was noted the office space which currently exists in the
Public Works building on Dayton would still be available for lease.
Councilmember Kasper said it has been discussed several times and agreed that the Fire
Department would move to the Dayton site on a interim basis. Councilmember Kasper said the
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1994
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THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AT THE
NOVEMBER 30,1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Police Department cannot stay where they are much longer with the conditions of which they
must work.
Councilmember Kasper said it may not be feasible to have office space adjacent to youth
program activities.
Councilmembers asked what would happen to the youth program when the City needs the space.
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks and Recreation Manager said the Fitness Program would move into the
space with the understanding that it is not permanent. Councilmembers expressed concern that
the program would blossom and expand, at which time the City may have to ask them to vacate.
Councilmembers asked if this happened, could they physically move in to space at the Anderson
Center. Mr. Ohlde said possibly, or they might have to look for a site in a different location.
Brian McIntosh, Recreation Coordinator, said if needed, it could be reversed, whereby the Youth
Fitness Program could be relocated to the Anderson Center.
Councilmember Petruzzi said he would like to see an "escape plan" within the plan presented
today, so it is spelled out what will happen to the program if they were asked to vacate the
property at Dayton.
It was noted the $125, 000 ending cash balance of 1994 as reported by Art Housler does not
include the estimated expense and net operating deficit ofapproximately $39,000 by making this
move to expand the youth fitness program. Mr. Housler said you would have to deduct the
$39, 000 from the $125, 000. It was also noted that $12, 000 of the cost of retrofitting the Dayton
site would be in-house costs.
As far as the rental/lease rates,Paul Mar said the city would be asking for a rental rate
equivalent to what is being paid at present time.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS BY COUNCILMEMBERS
Council President Nordquist said he is trying very hard to keep non -budget items off the
Extended Agenda, until the 1995 Budget is adopted.
Councilmember Petruzzi said he will be looking closely at the Capital Improvement Sections,
Funds 411 - 414. He has concerns about what is left unfunded.
Councilmember Dwyer said he believes we have done a good job over the last few years getting
most of our reserve funds in shape. Councilmember Dwyer said he was the only councilmember
(; �C last year who thought we made a mistake not taking the second 3%. (Property tax).
Councilmember Dwyer said he believes the City should look at the second 3% for this year and
be looking at some of the other things that the City doesn't have sufficient reserves for like fire
engines, etc.. Councilmember Dwyer said the lesson the City learned in the 1980's when we
didn't utilize .the 6% for a few years, was that the City then had an opportunity to have put
reserves in better shape for when things like when the EMS levy didn't pass, and there were not
money readily available to pay for it.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1994
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THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AT THE
NOVEMBER 30,1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council President Nordquist said for two years, we have held back in granting some well
deserved increases for some employees. He said while some employees are receiving a good
wage, others are not and these should be looked into. Council President Nordquist said if we are
going to keep the people we have, we should reward them with a salary which is more in line
with their position.
Councilmember Petruzzi agreed and said we have to address the salaries of the city's executives.
Councilmember Petruzzi said there is a situation now where an Assistant Chief in another city is
making as much as our Chief.
With no further business before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.
LAURA . ALL, MAYOR R ONDA MARCH, CITY CLERK
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 1994
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